How Universal Orlando Started - A Brief History
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Today, June 7th of 2022, marks the 32nd anniversary of Universal Studios Florida’s opening! It’s hard to put into words how much of an impact this park has had on the theme park industry, community, and my own personal life. Universal sent a shockwave through the industry back in the late 1980’s when they announced their intentions to expand into Orlando, Florida. Universal, a division of MCA at the time, was known for their studio backlot tour located on the sets of their Hollywood film studio, but wasn’t yet known for their presence in the themed entertainment industry.
Universal globe in front of Universal Studios Florida at the Universal Orlando Resort.
A Rivalry Sparks
Hollywood Blvd in Universal Studios Florida at Sunset Photo Credit: Jonathan Holt
Following the announcement of the studio’s intentions to expand came a swift announcement from the Disney corporation in regards to their new “third gate”. Micheal Eisner, the former President of Paramount Pictures, had a strong relationship with Universal before leaving to join Disney as their new CEO. During his tenure at Paramount, he had been involved in several meetings in which the plans of the park had been disclosed. It was those meetings that birthed the infamous debate between if Disney built Hollywood Studios, formerly known as MGM Studios, to ward off Universal from encroaching on their Orlando property or not. Either way, Disney reacted, which caused Universal to reimagine their concept of what a “studio-style” park would look like in Orlando.
Before Disney’s announcement, Universal’s plans largely only consisted of a recreation of their famous backlot tour. However, after seeing that Disney had plans for their own tour, Universal was forced to reconsider their strategy to offer a unique park experience from Disney. Due to the success of their King Kong Experience on the tram tour in Hollywood, they decided instead of building a backlot tour, they would expand their short “experiences” into fully realized attractions. From that idea birthed legendary attractions that changed the industry such as Kongfrontation, Jaws, Earthquake, and more.
Reflection
The formation of this park has pushed the industry forward time and time again. Legends of two rivals sparked between Disney Parks and Universal Parks worldwide, and we continue to see the contenders trade hits back and forth today. Attractions like Back to the Future, Spiderman, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and so many more have pushed the boundaries of what themed rides and entertainment can be. Thanks to Universal Creative, we’ve been able to step into world defining lands that shape the way we see and experience the world and its many cultures, time periods, and stories. Without Universal Orlando Resort, and more specifically, Universal Studios Florida, none of the parks worldwide would be where they are today. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for creating unforgettable memories, and thank you for pushing boundaries and taking chances. Celebration is Universal. Happy birthday.
Cheers to another 32 years and beyond.
